Police investigating probable hit-and-run fatality 05-02-03

Police are investigating a probable hit-and-run fatality that occurred early Friday (May 2, 2003) on the Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19) near Nani Waimea in South Kohala.

Responding to a 4:05 a.m. call, South Kohala police learned that a female pedestrian apparently was struck by an unknown vehicle sometime in the morning.

The victim, who suffered severe head injuries, was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:19 a.m.

Details about the traffic fatality were not immediately available, but it appears the victim was run over by a vehicle, police said.

The victim has also not yet been positively identified, and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the traffic death.

Anyone having information about the traffic death is asked to call Officer Martin Ellazar of the TEU at 326-4646, Sergeant Leroy Victorino of the TEU at the 961-2332 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.